Racial Equity Advisory Commission

Meetings

  • The Racial Equity Advisory Commission meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month from 4 p.m-5 p.m.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

  • Gary Abdullah
  • Alvaro De La Cruz, Jr. 
  • Charles Dumas
  • Carol Eicher
  • Donald Hahn
  • Wanda Knight
  • Nia Rodriguez 
  • Georjanne Rosa
  • Thilini Rupasinghe

Member Information

The Racial Equity Advisory Commission is comprised of nine members, appointed by the Borough Council, including at least one member from each of the following organizations:

  • Community and Campus in Unity (CCU)
  • Community Diversity Group (CDG)
  • State College NAACP
  • PanAPIDA Circle (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Community Group of Centre County)
  • Hispanic/LatinX Community

About the Board

The Racial Equity Advisory Commission was established in January 2023 by the State College Council to assist and advise the Borough of State College on policies, practices, procedures, and programs using a racial equity lens. The Commission will serve as a forum for public discussions and input on the various racial equity matters under the Commission's purview. Additionally, the Commission will engage in outreach and programming related to their purpose and charge.

Specific tasks or initiatives that the State College Racial Equity Advisory Commission are responsible for, wholly or in part, include but are not limited to the following:

  • Recommend and coordinate programming or events held at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, including the following events reserved at the Dr. MLK, Jr. Plaza:
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday and Holiday
  • January 21 (Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speech at Rec Hall)
  • April 4 (Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. King)
  • June 19 (Juneteenth)
  • August 28 (Anniversary of the I Have a Dream Speech, March on Washington, and Grand Opening of the MLK Plaza)
  • Collaborate, as deemed appropriate, with the State College Human Relations Commission, the State College Community Oversight Board, the State College LGBTQ Advisory Committee, and other ABCs
  • Assist to institute a visible racial/multi-cultural affirming/welcoming business program and training for local businesses and their employees
  • Work with Borough staff to ensure that Borough facilitates, and events are inclusive and welcoming for all people, especially underrepresented populations
  • Other racial equity work as determined by the Commission